In an important step towards conserving critically endangered vultures, the Nehru Zoological Park (NZP) in Hyderabad is set to launch a specialized breeding program. The zoo will focus on breeding three species of vultures: the White-backed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, and Slender-billed Vulture.
The Central Zoo Authority of India has approved the transfer of these birds from the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre in Pinjore, Haryana. Soon, NZP will receive 10 White-backed Vultures, 10 Long-billed Vultures, and four Slender-billed Vultures, which will be housed in a dedicated breeding centre at the zoo.
Vultures play a crucial role in the ecosystem; they feed primarily on dead animals, which helps keep the environment clean and reduces the spread of diseases. However, these scavenger birds are facing serious threats, with their populations declining dramatically. They are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
According to Dr. Sunil S Hiremath, the Director of Zoo Parks Telangana, the zoo currently has a small population of old vultures that are not suitable for breeding. “We are hopeful that this new initiative will lead to successful breeding,” he said.
The zoo has attempted vulture breeding before, starting back in 2010 with five White-backed Vultures. Although they had some initial success, the program faced challenges, including the death of a chick due to congenital defects. Vultures only lay one egg per year, making breeding efforts particularly challenging.
Despite previous setbacks, NZP has seen success in other breeding programs. For instance, the breeding of mouse deer has been notably successful, with 264 deer reintroduced into the wild. The zoo has also successfully bred other endangered species, including Asiatic Lions and Royal Bengal Tigers.
The new vulture breeding program aims to contribute to the recovery of these important scavengers and to raise awareness about their ecological significance. With dedicated efforts, the NZP hopes to see a resurgence in vulture populations and strengthen local biodiversity efforts.
